NAIROBI, Feb 8 (NNN-KBC) — Secretary to the Cabinet, Mercy Wanjau, has officially launched the Re-Imagine Education 2025 initiative at the African Leadership University (ALU) conference, where education leaders, policymakers, and stakeholders gathered to discuss strategies for reshaping education systems to align with evolving workforce demands.
In her address, Wanjau underscored the urgent need to rethink Kenya’s education framework to better equip learners with relevant skills for the 21st-century economy.
She noted that despite having the necessary academic qualifications, many African youths find themselves venturing into entrepreneurship or informal employment due to the scarcity of job opportunities.
“Ancient Rome trained its youth to fit the purpose of the community. Similarly, we must redesign our education system to ensure our young people are well-prepared for modern challenges,” said Wanjau.
She pointed out that the Government’s Open University initiative is one of the transformative reforms aimed at enhancing access to education and empowering Kenyan youth. However, she stressed the need to address gaps in technology access to ensure young people thrive in a rapidly changing business landscape.
Veda Sunasee from the African Leadership University shared a brief history of the institution, focusing on its commitment to aligning education with career aspirations and employer needs. ALU’s approach integrates work-based learning opportunities and fosters public-private collaborations to equip graduates with relevant skills for the job market.
Dr. Milton Njuki, Deputy Director at the Ministry of Education’s State Department for Higher Education, reiterated the importance of strategic human capital development as outlined in the 2020 Declaration on Higher Education.
He emphasized that universities are increasingly evolving into research hubs and called for prolonged internship programs to enhance undergraduate skills and improve retention in the workplace.
“The future of education lies in practical learning. Universities must focus on equipping students with hands-on experience through internship programs and partnerships with the private sector,” said Dr. Njuki.
Re-Imagine Education 2025 aims to address critical issues such as aligning curriculum with career aspirations, responding to employer needs, and fostering collaboration between public and private sectors to create a future-ready workforce.
The event concluded with a call to assess the progress of ongoing education reforms and ensure they meet the needs of the youth and society at large. — NNN-KBC
